Life is amazing when you can't count on others for quality. I remember many years ago, you could trust most everyone, whether it be family, friends, neighbor or engine builders. Today, not so much. Real long story, but in short. I built my 427 Cobra in 2000, bought a 428
from Carroll Shelby right before he opened his new shop in Vegas. Drove the car until 2004. I'm diabetic and got very sick with what's called, septic blood. Almost died in the hospital, stayed for 13 days. Back home for 5 days, returned to the hospital nearly in a coma. Was flown to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. After 4 days I almost died for the second time and was placed into a coma state so my organs may have a chance to recover. They cleaned and stripped my blood four times along with some bone marrow and blood cells. Was able to come home after 27 days. I'm on medications for all my organs for life. The total bill was $267,000. The MedFlight cost was $17,000. We fought with the hospital, insurance company and medication for four years, so our out of pocket bills were apx $29,000. I had to sell my Shelby engine and Tremec trans to help pay.
In 2008 I passed out while driving my truck, because my pain went from level 5 to 10, almost instantly (most of Thar time it creeps up) crossed the street, into someones deck, their breezeway and into their living room. Even though it apx 5:00 PM, none of the 5 people were home. I broke only my hip by the force of my lap belt. They could not get me out for an hour, as my truck was holding up the second story. It remained there until midnight.
Their insurance company ended up tearing down the old house (driving through the old part of town) as the structure was too badly damaged.
All,...of us were very blessed by Thar Lord ! I can't imagine,... hurting or worse, any of them, especially the children.
As a two year old I had a bad fall, cracking my skull, was in a coma for three days. Since then I have headaches, mi grain amount of pain and electrical zaps in my head 24/7, which all changes many times per day, some days or weeks better or worse. Had to stop working at 25 years old, I'm now 55. I have other health problems as well, and had a heart attack in Nov 2016, so just the medication bills every month are very,.... high.
I made a advertising deal with a noted FE engine builder to build a Genesis aluminum 427 Side Oil er block and rotating assembly from some well known racing part company's to build a sponsor built up to date, modern Side Oiler engine and drivetrain for three magazines.
The engine builder stole, sold or used all the parts. All of this took my "spirit for life" for 10 years. Four months ago we decided that after we pay off my MedFlight bill, we would take out a bank loan to build a engine, clutch and tranny in two years. A close friend (we're actually closer than brothers)
said because of my new and old health issues, my friend Chad gave us the money to get the Cobra back running "NOW" and pay back when we can !
It took me a week of thinking to decide on, yes. I will for ever Love Chad !
Along with my brain damage, having chronic pain (which it's hard to concentrate) and learning disability, school was/is very difficult. Because I missed so many days in high school, I did not have enough credits to go through to my Jr. year.
With help from my family, friends and faith, I've always tried to have a good attitude and sense of humor.
Sorry this ended up being longer than I thought. The Cobra means the world to me. Times when I'm feeling just well enough to drive, but down mentally, I fire it up, listing to the rump, thump of the cam and no muffler side pipes, cruz around our small town street's then down the highway and back, if only for 20 minutes, I feel much better. I went through 1.3 years of autobody school, know how to weld and built the Cobra myself except for the engine. I built a Pro-Street Camaro when I was 18. Helped a guy racing sprint cars etc.
I don't mean to say my life is bad all the time, it's not, I've done and seen many great things and people in my life, it just suck's at times like most of us. No matter what happend in life, we just need to keep trucking on. (or in my case, keep Cobra'ing on) lol....
Kevin
